Verizon Launches Samsung Omnia II Windows Mobile Smartphone

Verizon is now offering the Windows Mobile-powered Samsung Omnia II, featuring a 3.7-inch touchscreen and a 5 megapixel camera.

Verizon Wireless has announced the availability of the Samsung Omnia II, a WIndows Mobile 6.5 smartphone that can tie in with corporate messaging systems and run mobile version of Microsoft’s mainstream Office applications—plus it’s got a big touch screen and entertainment features to keep users happy when they’re not being productive.

The Samsung Omnia II features a 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED touchscreen display, 8 GB of internal memory (plus microSD expandable storage), and a 5 megapixel video-capable digital camera. The Omnia II sports a virtual keyboard with “Swype” technology that’s supposed to enable users to input text more easily with just one finger or a stylus; the Omnia II also includes 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless networking, but lacks an integrated GPS receiver.

The Omnia II’s software bundle includes an “enhanced 3D cube interface” plus Microsoft’s full suite of messaging and Office applications; interestingly, the Omnia II bundles Opera 9.5 as its default full-HTML Web browser, and supports both DivX and Xvid movie files. A suite of social networking applications in also on board (Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, etc.), along with MMS, SMS, mobile IM, and mobile email capabilities. Of course, being on Verizon Wireless, the phone supports Verizon’s plethora of mobile content services, including V Cast Music, video on demand, Rhapsody, VZ Navigator, ringtones, and more, along with visual voicemail.

The Omnia II will be available online and from Verizon Wireless retail locations on December 2 for $199.99—although that price is after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year service agreement.